EVENT REMINDER - Commemoration Of The Battle Of Arnhem & Staffordshire Regimental Association Reunion The Staffordshire Regimental Association starts its plans to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem – which began on 17 September 1944 – this morning. At 1100 hrs, Moz Wilkes will be leading a band of brothers, who are running from Lichfield to Arnhem to commemorate the battle. They will be departing from The King’s Head pub, Lichfield. The Dover branch of the SRA will be heading over by coach too, alongside various other association members. The award of the Victoria Cross to two men from the 2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment, made it the only British battalion to receive two Victoria Crosses during one engagement in the Second World War. Major Robert Henry Cain, VC, led the defence of part of the Oosterbeek perimeter near Arnhem over several days. On several occasions he successfully attacked enemy tanks. Although suffering multiple wounds he encouraged his men with his daring leadership and fearless example, refusing rest and medical attention. By the end of the battle, Cain had reportedly been personally responsible for the destruction or disabling of six tanks, four of which were Tigers, as well as a number of self-propelled guns. Lance Sergeant John (Jack) Daniel Baskeyfield, VC, commanded two 6-pdr Anti-Tank guns in defensive positions at Oosterbeek. His section repulsed a German attack, destroying two tanks and a self-propelled gun, but Baskeyfield and his section were all wounded. Baskeyfield refused first aid and continued to use his gun until it was put out of action by enemy fire. He then crawled to another gun whose crew had been killed, and with it scored a direct hit on another German self-propelled gun. He was then killed by an enemy tank shell. The annual Staffordshire Regimental Association reunion also takes place this Saturday (13 September) in Burton-upon-Trent. The event begins at 1100 hrs, with a parade by the association through Burton Town Centre. A church service will then be held at St Paul’s Church from 1300 hrs. Attendees will then move on to Burton-upon-Trent Town Hall for 1500 hours. Tickets are £8, and can be bought from RHQ MERCIAN, or on the door at Burton Town Hall. For further information, call RHQ MERCIAN on 01543 434351. Images and information from The SRA commemoration will be released in due course on The Mercian Regiment Facebook. SRA Reunion Addresses: Burton Town Hall, Burton-upon-Trent, DE13 2EB St. Pauls Church, Burton-upon-Trent, DE14 2EQ
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:42:47 +0000
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